Short-term outcomes and predictors of mortality among very low birth weight infants: A retrospective descriptive study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i3.2645Keywords:
Very low birth weight, neonatal mortality, respiratory distress syndrome, Sepsis, Neonatal Intensive Care UnitAbstract
Background
Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (<1500 g) account for a disproportionate share of neonatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low-resource settings [1].
Objective: To assess short-term outcomes and identify predictors of mortality among VLBW infants admitted to a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Methods
This retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital from January 2023 to December 2024. Medical records of 90 VLBW infants were analyzed. Demographic variables, neonatal morbidities, and outcomes were recorded. Associations with mortality were assessed using the chi-square test, odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results
Overall mortality was 28.9% (26/90). Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was the leading cause of mortality, followed by sepsis. RDS (OR 3.8; 95% CI 1.6–9.2; p=0.002), Sepsis (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.2–7.1; p=0.01), necrotizing enterocolitis (OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.1–9.4; p=0.03), and intraventricular hemorrhage (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.0–6.8; p=0.04) were significant predictors of mortality.
Conclusion
Mortality among very low birth weight infants remains high, with respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis being the leading contributors to mortality.
Recommendation
Strengthening antenatal corticosteroid coverage, timely referral systems, and strict infection-prevention practices in neonatal intensive care units may improve survival among VLBW infants.
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